Dorholt touts ability to listen, authenticity

Rep. Zachary Dorholt, a first-term DFLer from St. Cloud, waves at the crowd <137,2014/06/30,LeClair/c Mitch1>of people<137> along the <137,2014/06/30,LeClair/c Mitch1>parade<137> route of the Rapids River Days parade through Sauk Rapids<137>, June 27<137>.(Photo: Jason Wachter, jwachter@stcloudtimes.com)Buy Photo

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State Rep. Zachary Dorholt says his ability to listen sets him apart from his House colleagues

Politicians who speak loudest often get noticed, but state Rep. Zachary Dorholt says it's his ability to listen that sets him apart.

Dorholt, a first-term DFLer from St. Cloud, is soft-spoken and leery of canned talking points. He says his legislative style is about listening to and engaging with his constituents — on their terms.

Dorholt will get a stiff test this November in his first bid for re-election. He faces Republican Jim Knoblach, a well-known former legislator, in the general election in Minnesota House District 14B.

The Knoblach-Dorholt contest is positioned as the marquee legislative race in the St. Cloud area this fall. It's likely to be among 10-20 races statewide that determine which party controls the House in 2015.

Dorholt, 33, must persuade District 14B voters he deserves a second term. He says he'll emphasize accomplishments such as a tuition freeze at state colleges and universities, increased funding for school districts and state allocations for local construction projects.

"In two years, I was pretty darn effective," Dorholt says. "Give me a few more years, and see what I can do."

Dorholt also says he'll talk to voters about his work outside the Legislature. At Central Minnesota Mental Health Center, Dorholt counsels adults with serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

"I'm not going to go talking point to talking point," Dorholt said. "That's what you're coached to do when you go to these candidate-training things: 'Here's your message; stay on message.' Well, I can't.

"I have someone who writes speeches. I don't think I've ever delivered what was on that piece of paper, because it's not real."

Many of Dorholt's clients wrestle with what he calls "cognitive distortions" such as exaggerated or persistent negative thoughts or images. Dorholt's job is to help clients ward off such thoughts.

Some elected officials are eager to make political hay by exaggerating, exploiting or spinning bad news. It's exactly what Dorholt counsels his clients not to do, so he finds it especially grating to hear it from legislative colleagues.

First-term St. Cloud Rep. Zachary Dorholt seeking re-election in House District 14B. Dorholt also discusses his work as mental-health counselor.

Focus on college campuses was key

House District 14B covers east, central and part of north St. Cloud and Haven and Minden townships. It leans Democratic, though the area proved competitive in recent elections.

The district includes St. Cloud State University and St. Cloud Technical & Community College. For that reason, Dorholt, a St. Cloud State University graduate, says he has focused on higher education issues, serving as vice chair of a House higher education panel.

District 14B's campuses could help determine whether Dorholt returns to the Legislature in 2015. Dorholt acknowledges a heavy student turnout contributed to his decisive 2012 win over former GOP Rep. King Banaian.

Students and other DFL-friendly demographics turned out in droves in 2012, with many opposing a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and supporting the re-election of President Barack Obama.

That updraft is likely to be absent in 2014.

"We'll have to work twice as hard," Dorholt said. "We'll have to double our presence, double our effort."

Dorholt also says he won't shy from talking about marriage. He co-sponsored the measure that legalized same-sex marriage in 2013, while Knoblach voted for a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage when he was in the House.

Business experience

If mental-health counseling is the yin to Dorholt's legislative outlook, he says the yang is his business experience.

Dorholt co-owns a Sauk Rapids bar and restaurant, Old Capital Tavern. He also worked in permitting for a cellphone tower corporation before becoming a counselor.

Dorholt says his business background has colored his views on issues such as the minimum-wage increase he and other lawmakers approved in 2014.

He also has emerged as a champion of increasing fuel taxes to boost funding for road, bridge and transit projects. Dorholt and other proponents say the move would have dual benefits: improving Minnesota's infrastructure while putting more people to work.

He says the transportation-funding logjam at the state and federal levels is a symptom of a broader problem with the political discourse.

"When people say government doesn't create jobs — (expletive). That's what you call infrastructure," Dorholt said. "But people subscribe to specific economic theories and ideologies, and if it doesn't adhere to that ideology or theory, then it's wrong. And I think that's been very counterproductive."

Haws was influence

Dorholt's off-the-cuff style is somewhat reminiscent of one of his mentors: former state Rep. Larry Haws, DFL-St. Cloud. Dorholt got his political sea legs by managing Haws' first campaign for the Legislature in 2005.

Haws died in 2012, months before Dorholt took office. But Dorholt says Haws remains an influence today.

Haws was known for speaking his mind. His emphasis on staying true to oneself was among his most enduring bits of advice, Dorholt said.